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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/1992 Council MinutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 7, 1992 DATE : January 7, 1992 TIME STARTED : 5:05 P.M. TIME ENDED 7:32 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Reinert, Neal, Kuether, Elliott MEMBERS ABSENT : Staff Members present: City Engineer, Dan Boxrud; Police Chief, Dean Campbell; Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL AGENDA FOR JANUARY 13, 1992 Mr. Schumacher explained the format of the agenda and reviewed the items that the staff proposed to be placed on the agenda. Each item was discussed. It was noted that two (2) of the items on the agenda refered to proposed improvement projects that will be terminated by the Council because a petition has been received by more than 51% of the affected property owners asking that the project be terminated. It was decided to discuss this matter with the Charter Commission and to prepare a procedure to follow when a petition is received asking for a feasibility study for a proposed improvement. The concern is that the City pays for the feasibility study and the project is terminated. The City is unable to recover the costs involved with the feasibility study. Chief Campbell explained the two (2) items he placed on the agenda. Council Member Elliott asked that the Oak Brook Peninsula Lawsuit Agreement be placed on the agenda for Council action. DISCUSSION OF ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS Mayor Reinert said that he did not fully understand the name, "Design Review Board ". He asked that a new ordinance be prepared, returning the name to the Planning and Zoning Board. He also asked that an ordinance be prepared increasing the size of this board from five (5) members to seven (7) members. Mayor PAGE 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 7, 1992 Reinert also asked that an ordinance be prepared increasing the size of the Park Board from five (5) members to seven (7) members. He noted that this will.. assure a healthy quorum at each meeting and also would lend itself to more discussion on items brought before each board. The City Clerk will advertise for applicants to the Planning and Zoning Board, Park Board and the Charter Commission. Applications will be received until January 31, 1992. It was suggested that a Council Member could be recognized on the government cable channel each week. It was also suggested that each department could prepare a presentation for the cable channel highlighting some aspect of that department. For instance, Don Volk could outline the procedure for snow plowing. It was hoped that this would help citizens understand why certain methods are used in accomplishing some city functions. Mr. Schumacher explained that this would need planning and this City does not have the staff available to prepare such presentations. Mr. Schumacher will see what resources are available through the City of Blaine. Legal Newspaper - Mayor Reinert explained that the primary objective is to get the best coverage and reach every home in the City. Mary LaForest explained that the Quad is available to every home free of charge. However, the problem is how to reach the new home that you do not know is there. After further discussion it was decided to allow each newspaper to respond to this question. A mailing list will be prepared for each newspaper at a cost to the newspaper of $25.00. Each newspaper will respond as to how they propose to see that each resident gets a paper. A notice will be placed in the next quarterly newsletter asking the homeowner to respond if they do not receive the Quad Press. City Engineer - Funding for a staff city engineer is included in the 1992 Budget. Mr. Schumacher asked the Council to direct him on how to handle this matter. He asked if an advertisement should be placed in the newspapers or if the position should be appointed. Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Darrell Schneider is a very qualified engineer and has expressed interest in the position. He gave a brief outline of Mr. Schneider's background. Mr. Schumacher also explained that staff support for the staff engineer will be needed. Outside assistance will be needed from both TKDA and SEH. Mr. Boxrud said he fully supported the position of staff engineer. The consensus of the Council is to offer the position to Mr. Schneider and allow him to determine how to fill the position of PAGE 2 1 18 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 7, 1992 staff support. Discussion of Time Table for Ways and Means Issues - Mr. Schumacher said that he plans to complete staff reviews and bring a salary recommendation for non -union personnel to the first Council meeting in February. Mayor Reinert asked that staff be sensitive to the community since it has not been a good year financially. He asked that the Council review each department head individually and discuss the City Administrator without his presence. Personnel Policy - Mr. Schumacher explained that he has prepared an updated Personnel Policy incorporating benefits now being enjoyed by the two (2) unions and incorporating the regulations as well. In this manner all City employees will be working under the same rules and regulations and receiving the same benefits. Mayor Reinert asked that the severance policy be clarified in the policy. Proposed Moratorium - Mayor Reinert explained that this City needs to "get its house in order ". Council Member Kuether expressed concern because in her opinion this is the best housing market Lino Lakes will see for some time. She also noted that residents who have land for sale will be hurt. Council Member Kuether felt the best time for a moratorium is not from January to June. In addition, this City needs people to get its industrial and commercial development started. Mayor Reinert said the purpose of the moratorium was to complete the Comprehensive Park Plan, update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and prepare an orderly process for development. He also noted that the moratorium could be lifted at any time. Council Member Kuether suggested that these things could be accomplished without the moratorium. She also express concern regarding running out of lot inventory. Council Member Kuether said if the moratorium is placed now, development for an entire year would be shut down. Mayor Reinert felt it was necessary to look at an infill program and to address the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. He also said he wanted to streamline the process through the Planning and Zoning Board. Council Member Kuether said that something can be done with all these issues without "shutting down the store ". Mayor Reinert said he would like to get things in place. Mr. Schumacher said it appears to be the consensus to do the following: prepare a lot balance inventory; adopt a Park Comprehensive Plan; evaluate the assessment collection ratio and prepare an impact study of each subdivision when a preliminary plat is submitted to the Council. Mr. Bob Adamson, 6001 Sargent Court said that since Lino Lakes PAGE 3 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 7, 1992 does not have enough commercial and industrial business, homes are supporting themselves. He asked where are taxing coming from if homes are not supporting the services? Mr. Schumacher explained that Lino Lakes is loosing ground in this area. Mr. Adamson also noted that assessments in Lino Lakes are unbelievably high. Mayor Reinert explained that because of high ground water, Lino Lakes is not an easy city to develop in. Mayor Reinert said that this City must take a responsible position and look at all areas concerning development. Mr. Adamson said that developers are investing in the City. He agreed that the platting process needs revision or refining. Council Member Kuether asked why plats could not continue to come in if they fall within the MUSA boundaries and are properly addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. She asked why cut off all platting. Mayor Reinert said this City needs to look at the number of units being constructed each year. Council Member Kuether left the meeting at 7:35 P.M. After further discussion on the matter, Mr. Schumacher was instructed to prepare an interim moratorium ordinance for the next Council agenda. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 P.M. PAGE 4 19